Towing machine and the like



Sept. 17, 1929. A. H. FLEET ET AL 1,723,339

rowme momma AND mm mm Filed Dec. 29. 1920 Patented Sept. 17, 1929 UNITED STATES BETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNEASSIGNMENTS, TO CUTLER-HAMMER INC., A CORPORATION or DELAWARE PATENT OFFICE 1 ARTHUR H. FLEET, or MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIrL AND HARRY L. HIBnAm), or ELIZA- TOWING MACHINE AND THE LIKE Application filed December 29, 1920. Serial in. 433,942,

This invention relates to improvements in towing machines andothermachines of a similar character. r g, R

It has among. its objects to provide an eflicient and reliable machine, electrically operated and controlled, to automatically pay out and take in a line or hawser at di ferent tensions thereon. I

A further object is 'torprovide automatic means contolling the power jsupp'ly to eifect a quick rewinding of the line or hawsen;

A further object is to provide a machine with both manualxand automatic control means so associatedasto insure against'interferencethereof. a

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawing illustrates a form of the invention particularly advantageous for towing purposes. It should be understood, however, .that theinvention is susceptible ofother embodiments andmay be used for. other purposes.

The views in the accompanying drawing are as follows: I

Figure 1 illustrates schematically and diagrammatically a towing machine and controller therefor and,

Fig. 2 illustrates a modification of the controller shown in Fig. 1.

The machine illustrated includes a revoluble drum 1 having woundthereon a tow.

line 2. The drum is adapted to be operated in oppositedirections by an electric motor 3 having a positive drive connection therewith illustrated as comprising reduction gears 4, 5, 6 and 7. Withthis arrangement any operation of either-the drum or, the motor insures a corresponding operation of the other, whereby power loss in friction of gears, etc, will be the same under both con-' line and thus prevent an undue strain therei on. Thebrakemay, of course, be connected toother parts of the machine and may be of various different types. Itis preferred,

however,,.to employ a mechanical brake adapted tonormally set and having an electromagnetic winding for releasing the same, for the purpose, hereinafter set forth.

The motor isprovided with both manual and ,jautomatic control. means, the former enabling the machine to be operated in either direction at will and the latter serving to control the machine when overhauled. The: control means includes electro-responsive reversing switches 9 and. 10, electro-responsive accelerating switches 11 and- 12 and series relays 13.' and 14 governing said accelcrating switches; The accelerating swltches control resistancesR and Rtlm series 1n the motor circuit. 1 The manual control of the machine is effected through said switches by a. master switch15twhile the automatic control is effected through the same switches by alimit switch 16. The limit swit'ch 16 is biased toa predetermined position by independent lpower means such as a weighted arm 17 or other preferred deviceand said limitswitch isoperatively connected to the drum 1 by a'clutch 18. The clutch 18 may be of any preferred type, "but preferably comprises a normally engaged clutch having an electromagnetic winding for disengaging the parts thereof. 'When the clutch isengaged, rotation of the drum in a direction to-pay outlline operates'thelimit switch subject. to arrest of the latter in a given position, as for example, by a fixed stop 19 in the/path of a lug 17 on arm 17. Thearrangement is such that when the limit switch is operated to such adegree as to be so arrested it isprotected by slippage of clutch 18against'undue strain upon continued unwinding operation of the drum. I Inbrief, the automatic control of the machine is as follows: I i I When the machine is overhauled to pay out line, the limit switch is moved by the i drum to effect completion of the motor circuit in a manner to cause the motorto oppose the paying out operation, The motor causes the relays 13 and'lt-to dro'p' etc The accelerating switches then respond, to in; crease the p wer supplied tcu'ie meter and thereby enable the rnctertceaickly build up in s eed quickly take up the slack in the line. When the line has been re stored to" its normal length the limit switch, which 'n'i'o'ves in unisen' with the drain,- re turns to normal position and eiiects discoir nectioil of the motor from circuit and deenergization of the brake 8; The brake 8 then sets and brakes the machine uiitil'the line is again subjected to an abnormal ten- S1011:

As above set forth, the limit switch has only a limited range of movement and accordingly a editablesigiial device, such as a bell 20, is preferably provided to announce the payin out of a predetermined length of line. This signal device is preferably controlled by the limit switch, its circuit be: ing closed when said lihiit switch is atrested;

' The operation of the machine to initially pay out line and to establish a normal length thereof is controlled by the master switch 15 andduring such operation it is desired to disconnect the limit switch from the machine whereby when the machine is set the limit switch will be in the proper relation thereto. To this end the clutch 18 between the limit switch and the drum is placed under the control of the master switch where= by upon movement of the master switch fromotf position said clutch 18 is energized, thereby releasing the limit switch; Also, the master switch is preferably provided with means whereby its movement from oii position disconnects the limit switch from circuit, thus renderinglit inefiective to con-- trdl the motor, should it for any reason fail tozbe released from the machine. Of course, when the master switch is returned to off position the electrical connections of the limit switch are reestablished and the clutch Bile-energized to connect the limit switch to the drum. Thus the limit' switch when inoii' position may be connected to the drum in any rotary position thereof, whereby the range of pay-out of the line will be the same regardless er the normal length of the line Under some conditions it might be desirable to alter the normal length of the line while the machine is overhauled and after operating the limit switch from normal position. It is to meet these conditions and to return the limit switch to OK position that the weighted arm 17 is provided. The weighted arm so acts, immediately upon operation of the master switch to deenergize clutch 18 and thus when the master switch is again set for automatic control the limit switch is properly positioned to function as described for the altered length of line.

The controller illustrated and the circuit connections established thereby will newts more specifically described.

The reversing switch 9 has two insulated contacts 21 andaa and upon closing completes the circuit from line L through contact 21, by conductors 23 and 24L through the meter" armature A, by conductor 25 through contact 22, by conductor 26 through the field winding F of the motor 3, by conductors 27 and 28 through the operating winding of relay 13, by conductor 29 through resistances R and R, by conductor 30 to line L. Accelerating switch 11 upon closing'short-circuits the resistance R and the winding of relay 13, whereby the motor circuit then extends from conductor 27 by conductor 31 through switch 11, by conductcrs 82 and 83 through the operating winding ofrelay 14 and thence through resistance R by conductor 30 to line L. Switch 12 upon responding short-circuits resistance R and the winding of relay 14:. The motor circuit then extends from conductor' 32 through switch 12, by conductor 30 to line L. The switches 9, 11 and 12 thus serve to complete the motor circuit and accelerate the same for o aeration in one direction. The switch 10, like the switch 9, has two insulated contacts 3 iaiid 35 which complete the motor circuit from line L by conductor 36 through contact 8i, by conductor's 3'7 and 25 through the motor armature in a reverse direction to that previously described, by conductor 24 through contact 35-, by conductor 38 to conductor 26 and thence through the field winding and resistances as already traced; The reversal of current through the armature reverses the direction of operation of the mot-or. The switches 11 and 12 function in conjunction with the switch 10 to accelerate the motor the same as in conjunction with the switch 9. Thus the switches provide for starting and acceleration of the motor for operation of the machine in either direction.

. The operating windings of the switches just described are similarly controlled by both the master switch 15 and limit switch 16," the limit switch, however, controlling only one or the direction switches.

The master switch has five contact fingers 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44. The contact finger 40 is continuously engaged by segment 40. The fingers 41 and 43 are adapted, upon movement of the master switch in one direction, to be engaged by segments 41 and 43, respectively. The fingers 42 and 43 are adaptedupon operation of the master switch in the opposite direction, to be engaged by segments 42 and 43 respectively. Finger 44 is normally engaged by segment 44' and is adapted to be disengaged therefrom upon movement of the master switch in either direction. I

WVhen the master switch is moved in a direction to engage finger 41 and segment 41 it completes circuit from line L to finger 40 and segment 40, thence to segment 41 and finger 41, by conductor 45 through the operating'winding of switch 9, by conductor 46 to conductor 30 and line L. This effects response of the switch 9 and this switch in closing completes circuit from line L to its contact 21,as already traced,

thence by an auxiliary contact21 and conductor 47 through the relay switch 13, by conductor 48 through the operating'winding of switch 11 to conductor 46. This causes response of the switch 11, which, through auxiliary contacts 11, completes circuit by conductor 49 through the relay switch 14, by conductor 50 through theopcrating winding of switch 12 to conductor 46. Thus the master switch when operated as specified effects progressive operation of switches 9, 11 and 12. Also, when so operated, it completes circuit from line 'L to segment 43 and'finger 43, by conductor '51 through the winding of clutch 18, by conductors'52, 53 and 30 to line L, thereby effecting disconnection of the limit switch from the machine. Still further it breaks the circuit of the limit switch by disengagement of segment 44 from finger 44, as will hereinafter more fully appear. Indirectly also, the master switch when so operated energizes the slip brake 8,this energizing circuit being completed byresponse of switch 9. Said circuit may be traced from line L to contact 21 of switch 9 through an auxiliary contact 21", by conductor 54 through the brake winding, by conductor 55 to conductor 53 and thence to line L, as already traced. 1

l/Vhen the master switch ismoved in the opposite direction it completes circuit from line L to finger 40 and segment 4O thence to segment 42 and finger 42, by conductor 56 through the operating winding ofswitch 10, by conductors 46 and 30 to line L. Under these conditions switch 10 responds, and through an auxiliary contact 34, connected in parallel with the contact 21 of switch 9, effects progressive operation of the switches 11 and 12 in the manner previously setsforth. Further, through a contact .34",

connected in parallel with the'contact 21 of switch 9, it energizes the brake 8 in a manner already set. forth. The master switch when operated in this direction again energizes the -clutch'18, this time through contacts 43 and 43 and also'disconnects the limit switch from'circuit by again disengaging contacts 44 and 44 Thus the mats ter' switch when moved in opposite directions performs the same functlons except as concerns the direction switches 9 and 10.

The limit switch 16 is providediwith three contact fingers 60, 61 and 62 and cooperating segments 60, 61 and 62*. WVhen operated by the machine the limit switch first bridges fingers 60 and 61 by segments 60 and 61 This completes circuit from line L through the master switch to finger 44, by conductor 63 through said ,li'mit. switch contacts, by conductor 64 to conductor 45 and thence through the operating windingof switch 9. Switch 9 thereupon responds, connecting the motor in circuit for'operation in the proper direction to opQ pose overhauling of the machine. F urther, theswitch 9 uponresponding tends to cause response of the switches 11and'12 and energization of the brake 8, asalready described. Under these conditions, how

ever, the relays 13 and 14 prevent response of the switches 11 and 12 so long as the drum over-hauls the motor and until the thereby disconnecting the motor from circuit and restoring the parts to normal position. It will now be observed that contacts 44 and 44 of the master switch con-, trol the connection of the limit switch to the supply circuit and accordingly when these contacts are disengaged the limit switch is electrically inoperative.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the same shows a modified means for effecting connection and disconnection of the limit switch and drum, said means being mechanical. In this device the connection is established by a train of friction rollers 66, 67 and 68. The intermediate roller 67 is adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with roller 66 and for this-purposeis mounted upon one end of a bell crank lever 69. The lever 69 is adapted to be operated'by the master'switch through a cam 70 and roller 71, the former being connectedto the shaft 72 of the master switchand the latter'being carried by a rod 7 3 connected to the lever 69. Avspring 74: biases. the lever 69 in a direction to hold the roller 71 in engagement with the cam, which, in off position of the master switch, receives the roller 71 in a notch 7 5'. When the roller 71 enters the notch the friction roller 67 engages the roller 66, thus operatively connecting the drum and limit switch. Vhenever the master switch is moved in either direction the cam 70 forces the roller 71 out of the notch 75, thereby reciting the lever'69 to disengage friction roller 67 from the roller 66, and releasing the limit switch from the drum. A positive disconnecting means is thereby provided and such means eliminates the necessity for the contacts 43, 43 and 43 on the master switch. As in Fig. 1 the limit switch would in practice be provided with independent power means to return the same to normal position upon disengagement of friction rollers 67 and 66. Moreover, the limit switch would be provided with arresting means as in Fig. 1 to limit its operation by the drum, the friction driving rollers permitting slippage between the limit switch and drum upon continued unwinding operation of the latter.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a' winding drum, an electric motor for operating the same, said drum and said motor being operatively connected to insure corresponding operation of both upon operation of either, and means for braking said drum against overhauling by its load except when exceeding a certain limit.

2. In combination, a winding drum, an electric motor for operatingthe same and having a positive operating connection therewith, and means for braking said drum, through the medium of said motor, against overhauling by the load on said drum except when the load exceeds a certain limit.

3: In combination, a winding drum, an electric motor for operating the same, said motor and drum having positive driving connections therebetween, means for braking said drum against overhauling by its load when below a certain value, and means auto matically operating when said drum is overhauled to supply power to said motor and to render said braking means ineffective.

4. In combination, a winding drum, means including a braking device and an electric motor having a positive driving connection with said drum, for opposing overhauling of said drum by its load,- said brake being normally effective and said motor being normally ineffective, and means operating automatically when said drum is overhauled to render said motor effective and to render said brake ineffective.

5; In combination, a winding drum,

means including a braking device and an electric motor having a positive driving connection with said drum, for opposing overhauling of said drum by its load, said brake being normally efiective and said motor be ing normally inefiective, and means operating automatically when said drumis overhaulec to render said motor effective and to render said brake ineffective, said means also controlling said motor to restore said drum to normal position as its load decreases and then efiecting resetting of said brake.

6. In combination, a winding drum, an electric motor for operating the same, said motor and drum having positive driving connections therebetween, braking means independent of the power of said motor for opposing overhauling of said drum by its load, and means automatically operating when said drum is overhauled to supply power to said motor to restore said drum to normal position and then discontinue the power supply.

7 In combination, a winding drum, an electric motor for operating the same, said motor and drum having positive driving connections therebetween, braking means op posing operation of said drum by its load, and means automatically operating upon such operation of said drum. to supply power to the motor and render said braking means ineffective and uponreturn of said drum to normal position to discontinue the supply of power to said motor and to render said braking means effective.-

8. In combination, a winding drum, an electric motor for operating the same, but normally disconnected from circuit, and means automatically operating when said drum is overhauled by its load to supply power to said motor and to increase the power supply when the overhauling load falls to a certain value.

9. In combination, a winding drum, an electric motor for operating the same, but normally ineffective, means for supplying power to said motor automatically when said drum is overhauled by its load, and means governing said former means to restrict the power supplied to the motor while the overhauling of said drum continues and to thereafter increase the power supply to cause said motor to quickly restore said drum to normal relation.

10. The combination with a towing machine or the like having an electric operating motor, of a manual'cont-roller for said motor to eiiect operation of said machine at will, and an automatic controller for said motor tending to restore the machine to normal position when overhauled, and interlocking-means for said manual and automatic controllers rendering the latter inoperative during operation of the machine under the control ofthe former.

11. The combination with a towing machine or the like having an electric operating motor, of a manual controller for said motor to effect operation of said machine at will, an automatic controller for said motor normally operatively connected to a part of said machine, and means insuring disconnection of said automatic controller from said machine upon movement of said manual controller to effect operation of said machine.

12. The combination with a towing ma-. chine or the like, having an electric operating motor, of a manual controller for said motor, and an automatic controller for said motor normally operatively connected to said machine, said manual controller when moved to effect operation of said machine disconnecting said automatic controller from said machine and also disconnecting the same from circuit.

13. The combination with a towing machine or the like having an electric operating motor of a manual controller for said motor, and an automatic controller for said motor normally operatively connected to said machine and biased to a predetermined position, and means insuring disconnection of said automatic controller from said machine upon operation thereof under the control of said manual controller.

14. The combination with a towing ma chine or the like having an electric operating motor, of a manual controller for said motor to effect operation of said machine at will, an automatic controller for said motor normally operatively connected to a part of said machine and means under the control of said manual controller to interrupt and re-establish the operative connection between said automatic controller and said machine.

15. The combination with a towing machine or the like having an electric operating motor, of a manual controller for said motor, an automatic controller for said motor biased to a predetermined position and normally operatively connected to said machine and means under the control of said manual controller to interrupt and reestablish the operative connection between said automatic controller and said machine.

16. The combination with a towing machine or the like having an electric operating motor and a slip brake opposing overhauling of said machine by the towline except at a predetermined tension on the latter, of means operating automatically upon overhauling of said machine to connect said motor in circuit and render said brake ineffective, said means being adapted upon given variations in the tension on the towline to effect given variations in the power supplied to the motor to restore the towline to normal length.

from,said mechanism including an electric controller connected to be actuated from the drum, a safety clutch between said drum and said controller, and means whereby said controller may be disconnected from said drum at will. I

In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names.

ARTHUR H. FLEET. HARRY L. HIBBARD. 

